Thing's you didn't know About Turkey

Things you didn’t know about Turkey

Turkey is a wonderful country, full of great history…. amazing sights… crystal clear beaches and beautiful cities! This country has no secrets… but only strange, funny and intresting facts that you might didn’t know about..

We made a list for you, with the 25 things you didn’t know about Turkey!

2) Atatürk, means ‘’Father of the Turks’’, a surname given to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first president of Turkey in 1934. This name is forbidden to anyone else!

3) Batman, is a city in Turkey!

4) Kissing the hand of elderly is a traditional sign of respect in Turkey

5) The traditional Turkish ice cream contains Salep and can be eaten with knife and fork! Originated from the region of Maraş, hence known as Maraş ice cream

6) The capital of Turkey is not Istanbul, but Ankara! It became after the war of indepedence in 1923

7) “Veni, Vidi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered), said by Julius Caesar in the Black Sea region in Turkey when he defeated Pontus

8) Turkey is the birthplace of many historical figures, such as Aesop, Homer and Herodotus

9) Most of the Turks didn’t have surname until 1934

10) A black arrow is painted at the ceiling of most Turkish public buildings, showing towards Meka, the same direction Muslims turn while praying

11) Santa Claus was born in Turkey!

12) Sabiha Gocken, was the first female Turkish pilot! She was the adopted daughter of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

13) Mount Ararat, where the Noah’s Ark aground, is located in Turkey

14) Turkey is responsible for the 80% of the worlds hazelnut export

15) The most precious silk carpet in the world is in Mevlana Museum in Konya

16) Tulips were introduced in Europe, not by Netherlands but by Turkey, in the 16th century

17) Turkey is not called Turkey but the Republic of Turkey, since 1923

18) 10.000 plant species , 9.000 flower species and 80.000 animal species, are found in Turkey

19) In 1503, Leonardo Da Vinci submitted plans for a bridge across Bosphorus but it was never buit

20) With 383 beaches and 21 marinas awarded by Blue Flag, Turkey ranked 3rd in the world

21) In Turkey there are over 170 universities! UK has 120

22) Turkish cuisine, is one of the three most famous and distinctive traditional cuisines in the world

23) The temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum of Harlicarnassus, are located in Turkey. These, are two of the seven wonders in the ancient world!

24) Turkey spans in two continents! One part in Europe an one in Asia

25) Turkey uses Latin based alphabet and not an Arabic. This alphabet was established as a personal initiative of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

26) Women in Turkey were among the first women in the world that were given the right to vote! Even before United States and from the majority of European countries

27) In the last 83 years, Istanbul had over 3,500 mayors and borough presidents, but only four of them were women

28) The legendary city of Troy is located in Turkey!

29) Alexander the Great cut the famous Gordian knot near today’s capital of Turkey- Ankara

30) Turks eat more chicken and red meat than anyone else in Europe!

31) Efes is the most famous beer in Turkey! Took the 12th place in the worlds beer market

32) The House where Virgin Mary lived the last years of her life, is located in Ephesus

33) Iztuzu Beach, located in Fethiye, is a major breeding ground for turtle nesting worldwide

34) Oil wrestling is Turkey’s national sport!

35) The first known university in the human history is in Harran, in southeast Turkey

36) During the Ottoman Empire, there were over 4000 public toilets all over the capital

37) 99% of the total population of Turkey, is Muslim

38) Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish republic, adopted 12 daughters and one son

39) Drinking coffe it was illegal, in the 16th and 17th century. The coffeehouses had become associated with political activities and the Ottoman sultan of that time, wanted to curb rebellious behaviour

Why do we

Istanbul Incoming Tours understands that individual travelers like to create their own itineraries, choose their own schedules, and decide on their hotels in Istanbul, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Troy, Bursa, Gallipoli, Pamukkale ( Cotton Valley ). With Istanbul Incoming Tours, nothing is impossible. Choose from over 650 flexible itineraries covering every corner of Turkey from Istanbul, Cappadocia, Kusadasi, Pamukkale, Antalya, Bodrum, Kemer, Marmaris, Ankara, Izmir, to Nemrut mountain (Eastern Turkey). Combine them to create an itinerary to suit you & your family. So whether you are in Turkey for a layover, mini-vacation, extended holiday, or pre/post of an incentive programme or event held in Turkey that you are participating.

Istanbul Incoming Tours is one of the major A-class independent agency and the member of Association of Turkish Travel Agencies. (The daily excursions, individual and flexiable vacations, hotel bookings, Anzac Tours, Students Tours, Blue Cruise, Tour series, Holiday Packages, Rent A Car,bus and flight tickets to all destinations in Turkey) are provided so as to meet the needs and demands of our guests. We tap into our resources in the field to provide travel experiences that are authentic, engaging and meaningful. Come and feed your Istanbul Incoming Tours with us.